A voluntary code of practice for publishers which aims to control the price of school books may be made mandatory if parents are duped into paying more.

That's according to Galway East TD and Junior Training and Skills Minister Ciaran Cannon who says the issue of both school book and uniform costs are being tackled at government level.

He says Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has met with publishers who have entered willingly into a voluntary code which prevents them from reissuing books on an annual or bi-annual basis.

However he says any failure to comply with this may force the government to consider a mandatory code.

Speaking on Galway Talks, he says parents should not be duped into paying over and above the odds at a time when many families are under significant financial strain.

He also adds that a move to electronic books in many schools in Galway should also bring costs down for parents in the future.